Chemical communication in the dacetine antDaceton armigerum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Contrary to previous assumptions,Daceton armigerum, the largest ant in the myrmicine tribe Dacetini, employs trail communication. We identified two anatomical sources of trail pheromones: Trails drawn with poison gland contents can last for more than seven days. Trails drawn with the newly discovered sternal glands (in the VIth and VIIth abdominal sternites) are effective but relatively short-lived. In addition, our bioassays revealed that the contents of the mandibular glands elicit alarm behavior, and secretions from the pygidial gland release attraction. When tested with artificial poison gland trails from seven other myrmicine species,Daceton did not exhibit trail following behavior. We confirmed, however, previous findings thatAtta respond toDaceton poison gland trails andSolenopsis followDaceton Dufour's gland trails.     

Monitoring milk fat fractionation: Filtration properties and crystallization kinetics

The effect of fractionation temperature, residence time, and agitation rate on the chemical composition of the stearin and olein milk fat fractions was studied. During fractionation, filtration properties of the crystal suspension were monitored; crystallization kinetics was determined by ¹H NMR. Higher fractionation temperatures result in a lower stearin yield, more oil entrapment, and a lower final solid fat content of the crystal suspension. On the other hand, the chemical composition of the resulting fractions is not influenced. Longer residence times lead to longer filtration times and lower oil entrapment, whereas the yield is not affected. Longer residence times induced lower growth rates, but chemical composition is not influenced. Agitation rates varying from 10 to 15 rpm have no influence on the chemical composition of stearin and olein milk fat fractions. Higher agitation rates decrease the filtration quality and increase stearin yield, causing a softer stearin. In designing and monitoring milk fat fractionation, filtration experiments and the assessment of crystallization kinetics are valuable techniques, but compositional chemical analysis is not favorable.     

The use of <Superscript>1</Superscript>H NMR for yield determination in the regioselective epoxidation of squalene

¹H NMR can be used to determine the epoxide yield rapidly in the oxidation of squalene. Moreover, unequivocal distinction can be made between internal and terminal epoxide bonds. To underline the power of this technique, different stoichiometric and catalytic epoxidation procedures were carried out using squalene as substrate. They were characterized in terms of substrate conversion and regioselectivity of the epoxide fraction.     

Greffages mecanochimiques sur le polychlorure de vinyle. III. Stabilitéa thermique des polymègeres modifiéas

The mastication of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in presence of monomers causes important changes of the thermal stability of the polymer when the last one possesses a basic character (e.g., 2-vinylpyridine). The dehydrochlorination rate is greatly increased, even if the monomer is present in only small amounts. In the most cases (styrene, acrylic ester) a better thermal stability is observed with respect to the acceleration of the dehydrochlorination, which is retarded or even suppressed. Infrared spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis show that the improved stability is due to an improved crystalline organization. When mastication causes the polymerization of the monomer (methyl methacrylate), degradation of the PVC part and depolymerization of the rafted part are observed simultaneously; this fact supports a radical mechanism for the thermal degradation of the PVC.     

Numbers and space: A computational model of the SNARC effect.

The SNARC (spatial numerical associations of response codes) effect reflects the tendency to respond faster with the left hand to relatively small numbers and with the right hand to relatively large numbers (S. Dehaene, S. Bossini, & P. Giraux, 1993). Using computational modeling, the present article aims to provide a framework for conceptualizing the SNARC effect. In line with models of spatial stimulus-response congruency, the authors modeled the SNARC effect as the result of parallel activation of preexisting links between magnitude and spatial representation and short-term links created on the basis of task instructions. This basic dual-route model simulated all characteristics associated with the SNARC effect. In addition, 2 experiments tested and confirmed new predictions derived from the model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Transferable Organic Semiconductor Nanosheets for Application in Electronic Devices

A method has been developed to stabilize and transfer nanofilms of functional organic semiconductors. The method is based on crosslinking of their topmost layers by low energy electron irradiation. The films can then be detached from their original substrates and subsequently deposited onto new solid or holey substrates retaining their structural integrity. Grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray specular reflectivity, and UV–Vis spectroscopy measurements reveal that the electron irradiation of ≈50 nm thick pentacene films results in crosslinking of their only topmost ≈5 nm (3–4 monolayers), whereas the deeper pentacene layers preserve their pristine crystallinity. The electronic performance of the transferred pentacene nanosheets in bottom contact field‐effect devices is studied and it is found that they are fully functional and demonstrate superior charge injection properties in comparison to the pentacene films directly grown on the contact structures by vapor deposition. The new approach paves the way to integration of the organic semiconductor nanofilms on substrates unfavorable for their direct growth as well as to their implementation in hybrid devices with unusual geometries, e.g., in devices incorporating free‐standing sheets.     

3D DNA Origami Crystals

3D crystals assembled entirely from DNA provide a route to design materials on a molecular level and to arrange guest particles in predefined lattices. This requires design schemes that provide high rigidity and sufficiently large open guest space. A DNA‐origami‐based “tensegrity triangle” structure that assembles into a 3D rhombohedral crystalline lattice with an open structure in which 90% of the volume is empty space is presented here. Site‐specific placement of gold nanoparticles within the lattice demonstrates that these crystals are spacious enough to efficiently host 20 nm particles in a cavity size of 1.83 × 10⁵ nm³, which would also suffice to accommodate ribosome‐sized macromolecules. The accurate assembly of the DNA origami lattice itself, as well as the precise incorporation of gold particles, is validated by electron microscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering experiments. The results show that it is possible to create DNA building blocks that assemble into lattices with customized geometry. Site‐specific hosting of nano objects in the optically transparent DNA lattice sets the stage for metamaterial and structural biology applications.     

Effect of prescribed sleep surfaces on back pain and sleep quality in patients diagnosed with low back and shoulder pain

The purpose of this study was to assess sleep quality and comfort of participants diagnosed with low back pain and stiffness following sleep on individually prescribed mattresses based on dominant sleeping positions. Subjects consisted of 27 patients (females, n = 14; males, n = 13; age 44.8 yrs ± SD 14.6, weight 174 lb. ±SD 39.6, height 68.3 in. ± SD 3.7) referred by chiropractic physicians for the study. For the baseline (pretest) data subjects recorded back and shoulder discomfort, sleep quality and comfort by visual analog scales (VAS) for 21 days while sleeping in their own beds. Subsequently, participants’ beds were replaced by medium-firm mattresses specifically layered with foam and latex based on the participants’ reported prominent sleeping position and they again rated their sleep comfort and quality daily for the following 12 weeks. Analysis yielded significant differences between pre- and post means for all variables and for back pain, we found significant (p < 0.01) differences between the first posttest mean and weeks 4 and weeks 8-12, thus indicating progressive improvement in both back pain and stiffness while sleeping on the new mattresses. Additionally, the number of days per week of experiencing poor sleep and physical discomfort decreased significantly. It was concluded that sleep surfaces are related to sleep discomfort and that is indeed possible to reduce pain and discomfort and to increase sleep quality in those with chronic back pain by replacing mattresses based on sleeping position.     

Design of a Web-Based LBS Framework Addressing Usability,Cost, and Implementation Constraints

This research investigates barriers that prevent Location Based Services (LBS) from reaching its full potential. The different constraints, including poor usability, lack of positioning support, costs, and integration difficulties are highlighted. A framework was designed incorporating components based on existing and new technologies that could help address the constraints of LBS and increase end-user acceptance. This research proposes that usability constraints can be addressed by adapting a system to user characteristics which are inferred on the basis of captured user context and interaction data. A prototype LBS system was developed to prove the feasibility and benefit of the framework design, demonstrating that constraints of positioning, cost, and integration can be overcome. Volunteers were asked to use the system, and to answer questions in relation to their proficiency and experience. User-feedback showed that the proposed combination of functionality was well-received, and the prototype was appealing to many users. Ground-truths from the survey were related back to data captured with a user monitoring component in order to investigate whether users can be classified according to their context and how they interact. The results have shown that statistically significant relationships exist, and that by using the C4.5 decision-tree, computer proficiency can be estimated within one class-width in 76.7% of the cases. These results suggest that it may be possible to build a user-model to estimate computer proficiency on the basis of user-interaction data. The user model could then used to improve usability through adaptive user-specific customisations.